People in Scotland using health and care services should expect to experience seamless and timely access to the dignified and compassionate care they need to improve their quality of life. This care should be delivered by appropriately trained staff in the home or the local community wherever possible. Staff working in health and care services should be able to do the best job possible for their client group, without being hindered by needless organisational, professional, financial or political obstacles. Although this is not always how care is delivered in Scotland right now, better collaboration could allow it to be the norm in the future.

This publication sets out our principles for delivering integrated care which are intended to apply to whatever model, or models, of integrated care are promoted in Scotland and whether plans focus on adults, children or both. Grouped under four themes, they set out actions required from individuals, staff, care organisations and political leaders:
1. Commit to processes that sustain respectful relationships
2. Ensure local integration plans are designed, in partnership, to improve outcomes
3. Secure the quality and safety of integrated care
4. Set the national foundations for integrated care

If you have any comments or would like to find out more information then please contact the RCN Scotland Policy team by emailing them at policyscotland@rcn.org.uk or by filling in the attached feedback form and sending it to Policy, RCN Scotland, 42 South Oswald Road, Edinburgh, EH9 2HH